VANS PRESENTS THE 2010 HIC PRO

After 26 successful years at Sunset Beach, on Oahu’s famed North Shore, The XCEL PRO is now The HIC PRO. With Vans as the presenting sponsor, the event has been upgraded to an $85,000, ASP-sanctioned 4-star event. This wil be the final qualifier for the prestigious Vans Triple Crown of Surfing, which includes the Reef Hawaiian Pro, The O’Neill World Cup of Surfing and the Billabong Pipeline Masters. The HIC Pro will be staged on the best three days of surf within the holding period, which runs October 28th through November 10th.

The HIC Pro is a critical event for Hawaii’s aspiring pro surfers. As the final ASP regional contest of the year, it not only crowns the 2010 ASP Hawaii Regional Champion, but will also qualify six aspiring locals to compete on the world’s premier surfing stage: the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing. The North Shore surf season is already in full swing with several solid swells the past few weeks providing local pros the opportunity to tune-up at the Sunset Beach contest site. This event is poised to provide an exiting start to the final leg of the ASP 2010 World Tour.

Randy Rarick, Executive Director for both ASP Hawaii and the Vans Triple Crown has seen it unfold from all perspectives: “The Xcel Pro has been a cornerstone in the career of every pro surfer we’ve seen come out of the Islands, and HIC will fulfill an important role for future generations in Hawaii.”

The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing brings over 200 of the world’s top ranked surfers to the North Shore of Oahu and offers more than $900,000 in prize money, world titles, Vans Triple Crown titles, and an international gallery of media and industry representatives. As the ultimate showcase and showdown in one, the Vans Triple Crown presents local surfers with the opportunity to kickstart their professional career; hence the importance of the HIC Pro in earning a place on that international stage.

WATCH IT LIVE: www.Vans.com/HICPro

About HIC – Hawaiian Island Creations:

Hawaii’s biggest and best selection of surf gear – since 1971 HIC has provided Hawaii with quality surfboards, skateboards, clothing and accessories – by surfers, for surfers. Locally owned and operated, the HIC retail chain includes ten stores on Oahu and Maui, and two in Japan. Through a commitment to quality, service and aloha spirit the brand has built a reputation as an icon of Hawaiian surfing recognized throughout the world. Enjoy the ride!

About Vans Surf:

Vans supports and promotes surfing through a full line of surf footwear and apparel, events such as the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing and through sponsorship of many of the world’s top surfers including Nathan Fletcher, Joel Tudor, Pat, Dane and Tanner Gudauskas, Timmy Reyes, John Florence, Dylan Graves and Leila Hurst. The Vans Triple Crown of Surfing is held on Oahu’s North Shore from Nov.12 through Dec. 20 each winter.